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MEET OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER Beret Griffith

How did you find the ICA?
A visit of my young family to my parents’ home in Wisconsin in 1970 - began over a cup of coffee with my mother. The first thing out of her mouth was, “Your dad and I just went to a terrific course put on by the Ecumenical Institute (EI). You will love it.” My husband and I took Religious Studies I (RS-1) in St. Paul, MN. I signed up for the Global Academy the fall of 1970, hired a babysitter for the kids and off I went. It has been 45 years since then and work with EI and ICA has continued to enrich, challenge and bring focus to my life.

What is your current role with the ICA?
Work with the ICA Global Archives captured my attention several years ago. I currently serve on the Archives Advisory Council (AAC), participating in weekly AAC Google hangouts for planning; attend regular archive sojourns; and occasionally come to Chicago to work in the archives at other times during the year. I write about various aspects of ICA History, the ICA Global Archives, and the ICA role in launching the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). I am a member of the ToP Trainers’ Network (TTN).

What are your favorite things about the ICA?
The deep bond among colleagues not talked to in years, resulting in challenging and deep diving conversations, is a treasured experience. Last summer colleagues I worked with in New York City during the 1980’s, stopped overnight at our cabin. We started talking over breakfast at 7am and continued through lunch. I love working with colleagues in person and virtually. I am pleased at the current reinvention of the work of the ICA toward focusing on the environment.

An interesting fact about you?
Two facts...I went to a library science class in 1964 at the University of Minnesota. I found it dull and unchallenging. I did, however, get a list of banned books and proceeded to read them all. I love everything about books.

In 1972 I had been taking art classes at the St.Paul College of Art and Design. I had decided it was time to get serious about art. I put together a portfolio and was waiting for an appointment with the Director of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Mulling on an upcoming EI Summer Program, in a moment of crazy clarity, I picked up my portfolio, left the office, went home and made flight arrangements to go to Summer 1972 in Chicago.